Borchers, Harlan Willis 1939-2024

BORCHERS, WILHELMI, NILLES

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/4/2025 at 13:15:38

Harlan Borchers, 85 of Le Mars, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 12, 2024 at All Saints Parish – St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Garden in rural Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Arrangements are with Rexwinkel Funeral Home.

Harlan Willis Borchers was born on March 31, 1939 in Brunsville, Iowa to Benjamin and Alice (Wilhelmi) Borchers. He was raised in Le Mars and graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1957. Harlan then enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1959.


Harlan was united in marriage to Bonnie Nilles on July 8, 1961 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen. They made their home in Le Mars and had four children: Harlan Lee, Julie, Robbie, and Bradley.

Harlan worked as a truck driver before beginning his career in construction where he worked primarily with drywall and stucco. He retired in 2002.


Harlan loved to go fishing and tend to his garden. He also enjoyed watching car races and even worked at a racetrack gate in his younger years. He was an avid Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Dodger fan. Harlan loved nature and wildlife; he made several enclosures for rescued and injured animals along with outdoor living spaces for squirrels and birdhouses for the birds. He had a beloved dog, named Poopsie, who was his trusted sidekick on fishing trips and car rides.


Harlan also never missed his morning coffee at Family Table with the club: Kent Brown, Mark Brown, Dale Anderson, Matt Beeck, Melvin Schultz, Charlie Oetken, Ross Tentinger, Jerome Dreckman, and Punk Steinfadt.


Harlan is survived by his children: Harlan Lee (Kristen) Borchers of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Julie (Mark) Holck of Le Mars, Iowa, Robbie (Bobbie) Borchers of Elkhorn, Nebraska, and Bradley (Pam) Borchers of Sioux City, Iowa; grandchildren: Benjamin Borchers, Christopher (Sandra) Borchers, Brian (Matt) Ogle, Jacob Holck, Nathan Holck, Brittany (Michael) Yardley, Brandon Borchers, Alex  (Kylee) Borchers, Ashley (Noah) Jensen, ReAnn (Chester Scofield) Merrill, Alyssa Borchers, and Natalie Merrill; 7 great grandchildren; sister, Veronia Borchers; siblings in law: Jan Klein, Diana (Glenn) Brown, Dan (Sandra) Nilles, Nancy Brown, Gene (Myra) Nilles, and Jean Nilles; nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.


Harlan is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Alice (Wilhelmi) Borchers; parents in law: Theodore and Julia (Luken) Nilles; wife, Bonnie Borchers; siblings: Gayle Borchers, Belva Gaffey, Beverly Borchers (her twin), Janice Carte, Shirleen Borchers, Verla Jozens, Velda Alt, Vikki Borchers, Dianna Borchers, Louis Borchers, Rodney Borchers, and Marvin Dean Borchers; siblings in law: Thomas Nilles, Carol (Dick) Lang, Jim Nilles, Charlie Brown, and Elmer Klein.